Play Motel Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation on the Blu Ray of "Play Motel" is a mixed bag, showcasing both strengths and weaknesses. The HD transfer provides a commendable grasp of colors, managing to retain blazing reds that effectively contribute to the film's sinful ambiance. Interiors and costumes present a satisfying spectrum of refreshed hues. However, detail rendition remains flat, battling inherent softness and focus issues intrinsic to the original cinematography. There are persistent minor textures, particularly visible during close-up shots of characters, which adds some degree of visual interest. Delineation is acceptable, supporting the chiller sequences with shadow play that preserve the movie's intended atmosphere. However, imperfections like judder, scratches, speckling, and occasional warping are noticeable throughout.

The advertised digital restoration effort appears substantial, yet the 1080p 1.67:1 transfer often displays an overly soft picture with crushed black levels, betraying the original 35mm film's potential. Parts of the movie emit a look reminiscent of early video tape recorders rather than the anticipated filmic quality. Some scenes sporadically achieve an impressive film-like essence, showcasing splendid detail and clarity. Yet these moments are too infrequent to shift the overall impression. On a positive note, the transfer excels in its handling of the color range. While flesh tones can sometimes veer into unnatural pinks, the vivid reds, deep blues, and nuanced earth tones are rendered with notable richness. Ultimately, while the color representation is outstanding, other aspects of the video transfer render it underwhelming and far from extraordinary.

The Italian 2.0 LPCM mix on the Blu-Ray presentation of "Play Motel" stands out as a robust and immersive audio experience. This stereo mix is characterized by a strong musical presence, with the film's titular tune emerging fresh and vibrant despite its age. The dubbing, a hallmark of the era's Italian cinema, successfully keeps the dialogue clear and comprehensible even though it sometimes sounds artificial. Sound effects are notably pronounced, adding sharpness to gunplay and violence. However, listeners may detect occasional hiss and pops throughout the film.

Sporting a resonant Italian-sounding LPCM 2.0 stereo mix, 'Play Motel' captures the playful essence intended by its creators. The mix, though dubbed and canned in tonal quality, suits the film’s unique style and period charm. Dialogue is easily discernable, sound effects maintain strong presence, and music selections pop, enhancing the soundscape without overwhelming it. Volume levels are well-balanced, ensuring a consistent listening experience without the need for frequent adjustments. Despite its near 40-year history, the audio track remains largely free of age-related artifacts, affirming its well-preserved quality.

In summary, the Blu-Ray audio presentation of "Play Motel" effectively retains its vintage appeal while ensuring clarity and stability in its soundtrack. The combination of a lively musical score, sharp sound effects, and clear dialogue makes this audio mix both engaging and authentic to the film’s playful and nuanced style.

The Blu-ray release of "Play Motel" offers a rich collection of extras that delve deep into the production and unique characteristics of the film. The included features provide insightful, engaging content, bringing context and depth to the primary viewing experience. The booklet is especially noteworthy with its mix of photos and an uncredited yet informative essay on the film’s production history. The featurette "Midas Touch" stands out, highlighting interviews with key figures involved in the production, though it does reveal some less-than-flattering insights. The deleted "Hard Cut Scenes" add another dimension, showing the lengths to which producers went to amplify the film's appeal. These bonuses collectively enrich the viewer's understanding and appreciation of "Play Motel".

Extras included in this disc:

• Booklet: Contains six pages with photos and an uncredited essay about the film's production history.
• Midas Touch: A featurette focusing on the production company behind "Play Motel," including interviews with actors.
• Hard Cut Scenes: Collection of X-rated material originally included to spice up the film.

"Play Motel" (1979), directed by Mario Gariazzo, intertwines elements of giallo horror with soft-core pornography, creating a film that struggles to maintain a coherent narrative while being more focused on exploitation elements. While the premise involves a hunt for a serial killer targeting specific victims, the storyline often loses momentum, overshadowed by frequent explicit scenes. The film's titular motel serves as a backdrop for clandestine encounters, tinged with blackmail and murder. Originally containing hardcore imagery during its theatrical release, "Play Motel" fails to build suspense as it continually pivots towards showcasing nudity over advancing the plot.

Actors Enzo Fisichella and Ray Lovelock put forth commendable efforts in their roles, but their performances are largely underutilized in favor of titillating but redundant sexual content. The narrative revolves around businessmen like Rinaldo Contesi, who find themselves embroiled in blackmail schemes, juxtaposed against couples like Roberto and Patrizia, whose role-playing escapades lead them to discover a dead body. This convoluted mix of mystery and eroticism ultimately lacks depth, leaving characters and viewers adrift in a plot more concerned with exploitation than storytelling.

While some giallo films elegantly balance horror and sexuality, "Play Motel" is preoccupied with its explicit sequences, sacrificing the murder mystery aspect entirely. At a concise 93 minutes, the movie feels prolonged and tedious beyond the initial setup, failing to capture or sustain interest. Its narrative, thinly veiled by scenes of undress, barely moves forward and lacks substantial engagement. For die-hard fans of the genre, "Play Motel" might hold some curiosity value, but there are superior entries within the Italian horror genre that offer more coherent and compelling experiences.

The Blu-ray release of "Play Motel" presents a mixed bag for enthusiasts of Giallo cinema. The film, focused more on risqué content than cohesive narrative or thrilling mystery, meanders without achieving a compelling blend of aggression and sensuality. While its colorful visuals and nudity-infused scenes occasionally provide some naughty humor, the overall execution falls flat in delivering a convincing whodunit. It retains a kitschy entertainment value but lacks the tension and direction that characterize stronger entries in the genre.

From a technical perspective, the restoration effort on the Blu-ray is evident but falls short of remarkable. The image quality shows improvement over previous editions, but it does not stand out as exceptional. Moreover, the audio mix is notably spirited, adding some zest to the viewing experience with its lively dynamics. However, the supplemental features are underwhelming and do not significantly enhance the value of the disc.

In conclusion, "Play Motel" is an acquired taste that may please hardcore fans of Giallo films but is unlikely to win over new audiences. Its lascivious inclination overshadows potential as an engaging thriller, making it memorable more for its audacious subject matter than for any cinematic finesse. This Blu-ray release highlights the film's modest virtues without truly elevating it, making it a niche offering best appreciated by genre aficionados.